With acclaimed Irish writer Stuart Carolan

The BBC has ordered a ‘darkly comedic’ crime drama based on the novels of former comic Caimh McDonnell and co-created by ex stand-up Chris Addison.

Addison, now a director and writer whose credits include  Veep and Breeders, concocted Tall Tales & Murder with Stuart Carolan, the writer and creator of acclaimed Irish crime drama Love/Hate . 

Two series of six episodes each have been ordered, based on McDonnell’s inaccurately named Dublin Trilogy,  which runs to eight books and revolves round a detective agency. 

Addison, who also directs the series, said: ‘I’m frankly giddy with delight to get to team up with the twisted and highly original mind of Stuart Carolan to create this show. We’ve taken Caimh’s wonderful novel as a jumping off point and ended up with what I like to think of as a dark and delicious screwball drama.’

Carolan added: ‘I’ve been a fan of the brilliant Chris Addison since The Thick of It - it’s been incredible fun working with him to bring this insane story to life.’

Tall Tales & Murder stars Ella Lily Hyland, Aidan Gilles, Philippa Dunne and Packy Lee. 

It has been commissioned by BBC Northern Ireland and Irish broadcaster RTÉ from production company Avalon and Ireland-based Metropolitan Pictures.

Eddie Doyle, head of content commissioning at BBC Northern Ireland, said: ‘Tall Tales & Murder is storytelling at its darkest, funniest and most surreal. We’re looking forward to bringing audiences with us on this wild and thrilling ride from Stuart Carolan and Chris Addison, masters of their craft.’

And David Crean, head of drama at RTÉ said: ‘It’s so exciting to be in production with this amazing Irish drama from Stuart Carolan and Chris Addison after a great development process. The scripts are fantastic, as is the cast.’

The first series is due to air next year.

Pictured clockwise from top left are: Ella Lily Highland, Aidan Gillen, Philippa Dunne, Chris Addison, Stuart Carolan, Packy Lee

Published: 5 Jun 2025